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Things You Can Stop Doing This Christmas

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warm drinks in mugs surrounded by evergreen branches

As the holidays approach, we often feel like there are a million things we HAVE to do. In reality, most of these things are tasks we put upon ourselves. It's up to us to decide what's important and worth our time and energy. There are many things you can stop doing this Christmas, and still celebrate, enjoy, and appreciate the season.

Things you can stop doing this christmas so you can appreciate the season. Focus on what's important for your and your family.

 

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If you're feeling overwhelmed by the holidays, and you're looking for ways to simplify things, here's a list of things you might consider eliminating, modifying, or cutting back on:

Things You Can Stop Doing This Christmas

  1. Massive decorating. A few favorite decorations, or even no decorations at all, are just fine.
  2. Extreme baking. Not required. If you feel the need for holiday sweets, you could always pick up a bag of colorful candy and put it out for everyone to enjoy.
  3. Shopping 'til you drop. Do your shopping online instead. Or, treat everyone on your list to a gift card.
  4. A huge tree. Real or fake. It's not mandatory.
  5. Christmas cards. There are other ways to share the season with others.
  6. Gaining weight. If you're serious about this, you can try to get to 10,000 steps each day, or avoid temptation by doing the Whole30 during the highest-calorie time of year!
  7. Worrying about gaining weight. If you've always worried about this during the holidays, it's okay to let yourself enjoy some goodies this year.
  8. Feeling obligated and aggravated. Say no to activities that will take you away from your family and important holiday plans. Even if those plans are staying at home and watching Elf with your kids.
  9. Rushing around. Make a holiday game plan and stick to it. You'll get to do the things that are important to you during the season.
  10. Spending too much. Make a gift list ahead of time so you're not tempted or guilted into overspending. Here's some tips on creating a Christmas budget from Lisa at The Stress-Free Christmas.

Please note that the items above are simply suggestions. I know that I love doing a lot of the things listed above, and I plan to keep doing them. But, if it's time for you to let go of some of these activities that are taking your focus off the true spirit of the Christmas season, go for it! Keep what's important to you and your family, and let go of the things that make the holidays stressful.

Stop Reinventing the Wheel – Make a Christmas Planner

christmas planner printables on white background. text - free bonus cover

If you find it difficult to remember what you want to do for Christmas each year, make a Christmas planner.

The printable pages will help you think of everything you want to do during the holidays, make a plan, and keep things organized.

But the best part about a Christmas planner is that you can keep it and use it again next year!

That way, you won't have to “reinvent the wheel” every year – you can use your holiday game plan again and again.

Go here to get the printables we used to make our Christmas planner.

 

More Christmas Planning Resources

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7 Comments

  1. I think I have stopped doing all of those listed this year! The only thing I pulled out were wreaths I made last year! It’s just too overwhelming with our newborns and trying to keep up pumping and school and sports. I love this post. Not just good ideas, but totally encouraging!

    1. Hi Jeniece! I think moms of multiples should get a three-year pass for all things holiday-decorating related. That should also include not having to take down Christmas decorations!

  2. This is a good list. I’m guilty of doing all of these. We bake like there is no tomorrow, we have a large tree, and we decorate until there is no tomorrow. Christmas is my husband’s favorite time of year and I had my first Christmas at 16 (religious reasons growing up), so I guess I’m overcompensating for my lack of Christmas as a kid.

    1. Hi Sarah! If you like doing the Christmas things you’re doing, by all means, keep doing them! I know a lot of people get overwhelmed by all there is to do during the holidays, and sometimes cutting out a few things makes everything else so much more enjoyable. But, if you love it, keep doing it! 🙂

  3. I’ve been focusing on doing less lately, and I know I want this to carry over to the holidays as well. I actually tend to keep things pretty simple for the holidays, and I like it that way. It’s good to remember that that’s okay, even good. Whatever works for each of us to have the most peaceful, joyful, and love-filled holidays is the best thing to do. Thank you for this list!

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